Feeding low dietary energy for growth of broiler chickens during finisher period provides least feed conversion ration

Abstract

Energy is an important component of diets without which animals will not grow. Thus, a study was conducted to investigate the effect of low dietary energy on growth performance of broiler chicken at finisher stage. Two hundred and twenty five Zartech strain day old chicks were raised intensively for four weeks in a completely randomized design. The birds were grouped into three treatments of 75 birds and sub-divided into three replications of 25 birds. Three experimental diets of three energy levels (2,400; 2,600 and 2,800 ME Kcal/Kg designated A, B and C, respectively) with 20% crude protein were formulated and fed to the broiler chickens to assess feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ration and feed cost gain ration. The data were subjected to one way analysis of variance and means were separated using least significant difference. Results showed that feed intake decreased as the energy value of the feed increased. There was significant (p<0.05) difference in total feed intake between the treatments. No significant (p>0.05) difference was recorded in terms of initial live weight, final live weight, feed conversion ratio, feed conversion efficiency, feed cost and cost/gain. Feed cost showed progressive increase as the energy level of the diet increased. Lowest cost/gain ratio was reported from diet C. It was concluded that feed intake decreased as the energy value of the feed increased. It is therefore, recommended that broiler chickens should be fed with diet containing 2 800 ME Kcal/Kg as it provides the least feed conversion ratio.